Some of Trump’s supporters were dressed in tactical clothes, armed with zippers. Others held Trump 2020 flags, smashed windows with masts and set up a gallows for Pence, who was constitutionally required to oversee the certification of the 2020 presidential election and the peaceful transfer of power to Democrats.
But even after witnessing the deadly violence firsthand and being reminded of it again at the crime scene, many Republican senators seemed no closer on Wednesday to condemn former President Donald Trump on charges of “inciting insurrection”.
While impressed by the impeachment administrators’ presentation, these Republicans said House Democrats had not proved that Trump’s words led to violent actions. They compared the January 6 riot to last summer’s racial justice protests and criticized how the trial is being conducted.
Senator Lindsey Graham said she could not believe “that we could lose Capitol like that”, but added that she did not change her opinion about absolving Trump during the trial.
“I think there are more votes for acquittal after today than yesterday,” said the Republican from South Carolina.
Senator Mike Braun said the managers’ visual presentation was “fascinating”, adding: “It is as difficult to accept now as it was before”. But when asked if it changed his view, the Indiana Republican said, “When you think the process is flawed in the first place, I think it will be different to come to a conclusion about the facts and the merits themselves.”
“They spent a lot of time focusing on the horrible acts of violence committed by criminals, but the president’s language doesn’t come close to meeting the legal standard of incitement,” said Cruz of the managers’ presentation. .
The comments are the latest indication of the major obstacles Democrats face to get the 67 votes needed to condemn Trump – with 17 Republicans needed to break the ranks if all 50 Democrats vote to condemn the former president and then prevent to re-occupy the position.
“I think you can get a maximum of six Republicans – probably five and maybe six,” Republican Senator Tim Scott told CNN when asked if the video and footage changed his views on Trump’s sentencing. Asked if he considers himself an impartial judge, the South Carolina Republican said, “I think I’m just as impartial as the other 99.”
Cassidy, facing reaction among local Republicans for this vote, rejected the idea that Republican Party complaints could influence his vote, saying, “My first loyalty is to the Constitution.” He added that he has not yet decided on the conviction.
“I’m angry, I’m upset,” said Murkowski of the video. “The evidence presented is quite overwhelming.”
In a speech before the Capitol turmoil, Trump urged his supporters “to make their voices peaceful and patriotic”, but also to “fight like hell”, “never give up” and “never give in”. A few days earlier, he tweeted that “The ‘Surrender Caucus’ within the Republican Party will fall into infamy as our nation’s weak and ineffective ‘guardians’ who were willing to accept the certification of fraudulent presidential numbers!” He repeatedly told his supporters to “stop stealing!”
During the riot, Trump tried to call Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville to delay certification of his loss and said Pence lacked “the courage to do what should be done to protect our country and our constitution”.
Several Republicans seemed impressed with the impeachment administrators, after harshly criticizing the president’s defense team on Tuesday for lack of a coherent response.
South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the minority leader and member of the Republican Party leadership, said House administrators had done an “effective job” and were “connecting the dots” in Trump’s words to the insurrection.
“Obviously, it is very worrying to see the great violence that our Capitol Police and others are subjected to,” said Romney. “It tears your heart and brings tears to your eyes. It was extremely distressing and emotional.”
The Utah Republican said he was “lucky” to see Goodman there and later spoke to him in the Senate floor on Wednesday. “I expressed my gratitude to him for coming to my aid and putting me back on the path to safety.”
But when asked whether the scenes shown would change the minds of his fellow Republicans, Romney said: “I cannot predict how other people will react.”
For most Republican senators, Wednesday’s presentation does not appear to affect how they will vote. Many are declaring that the trial is unconstitutional, as Trump is now a former president, and the punishment for sentencing is removal. However, if convicted, Trump could also face a Senate vote, preventing him from holding public office again.
Even so, Republican senators, including Florida’s Marco Rubio, would only say that Trump has “some responsibility” for the mutiny and argued that the Senate should have no role in the trial of a former president.
“Who wouldn’t be?” asked Sen. Ron Johnson, a Wisconsin Republican, when asked if he was shaken by the footage he saw on Wednesday.
But when asked if he held Trump responsible, Johnson said, “I hold these people responsible.”
CNN’s Ryan Nobles, Ted Barrett, Sarah Fortinsky, Ali Zaslav, Ali Main, Kristin Wilson and Lauren Fox contributed to this report.